I recently bought a used Surly Crosscheck that's set up as a singlespeed (it's not the SS Crosscheck model). I'm thinking about changing over to a geared setup, which would mean at least a new rear wheel. The wheels on the bike now are Mavic Open Sport (32h). I use the bike for commuting and recreational riding, and plan to use 35-38 width tires.

Any recommendations as to whether I should look for a rear wheel only or spring for a set? Also, any recommendations on brands? I'm happy to buy used if possible; wheel budget would be in the $200-250 range.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated, not just about wheels, but gearing (1X9? 2X9? Internal gear hub?), as well as derailers, cassettes, shifters, etc. (I'm in Minneapolis, so not overly hilly.) Any chance of keeping this project to about $350 and still get stuff of decent quality? My mechanical skills and parts know-how are still quite basic, so any advice would be much appreciated.

So you have vertical Dropouts? so 1 speed , you have a chain-tensioner ?


How about a SA 5 speed IGH, Drum brakes work well in foul weather , but will blow past your stated Budget.

35 wide studded tires.. Drum -dynamo front for lights without batteries



Flat lands,, You can fit a dual drive rear hub and a straight block cassette , like a 12-23t

with the 3 speed internal offering a quick downshift at stoplights..

No chain tensioner; Xcheck has semi-horizontal dropouts. Those are good ideas, thanks. I may even look at a Nexus or Alfine 8-speed. (Not to veer off topic but is there much difference between them?) I think you can tell I don't have much experience w/this.

I also live in Minnie and have a an older single speed Cross Check, but I also have a rear wheel with an Alfine 8 IGH hub. Got the wheel new on CraigsList a few years back from a guy that built it up but didn't end up using it. Salsa Delgado rim. So I have both set ups ready to go on a moments notice. Due to a nagging knee injury I tend to run the IGH most of the time these days but, I still really like it as a SS. I bet you can find a built IGH rear wheel in your price range.

Pro's:
- Switching set ups is a breeze. I can switch between the 2 wheels in about a minute if I leave the shifter cable on the bike (zip ties) and about 5 minutes if I don't. I use a Jtek shifter. If I'm running winter studs on the IGH I can throw the SS wheels on or vice versa.
- The horizontal drops make it so that I do not have to change the chain length.
- Awesome in the winter for low maintenance. (actually all year)
- Shifting at stops is actually a nice feature.

Con's:
- Only 8 speeds - is this a con? seems to be plenty of gears for our town.
- The IGH is heavy. But it's my commuter/town bike not really a lightweight to start with.

that's my reco.

Make your way over to Calhoun bike and ask, or write https://www.calhouncycle.com/

From what I've just read, main difference between Nexus and Alfine is weight. The IGH option is tempting, but I decided to go 1X8 externally. Found what looks to be a nice, reasonably priced wheelset that seems well suited to my tire width (https://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=1681). Derailer & cog easily found. And Rivendell stocks individual bar end shifters. Thanks, folks, for the ideas.

You might consider 9 speed.
Price isn't that much more, but you have a much wider assortment of cassettes available to get the gears that are most useful.

+1. 8-speed is kind of a "dead zone" between 7-speed and 9-speed these days. Shimano only makes one nicely-spaced cassette (13-26) that isn't one of their 11-28, 11-30, or 11-32 MTB combos.